The Los Angeles Lakers took a gamble on Isaiah Thomas but, in the end, they decided against going full-time with the former All-Star.
After signing a 10-day contract with Thomas, the team decided against offering him another one.
But Thomas found good news after bad: the Dallas Mavericks decided to sign a 10-day hardship deal with him.
Thomas is getting yet another chance to show he has got what it takes to play in the NBA – but is it time that a team goes all-in on the point guard and offers him something more than a paltry, 10-day signing?
Success In The G League
Thomas has been dying to get back into the NBA for some time.
The former NBA pro was a two-time All-Star for the Boston Celtics before an injury sidelined his career, bouncing him around to various teams before he unofficially retired.
Thomas never gave up hope and fought to get back into the big time, doing some serious work in the G League.
He had a lot of fans who consistently supported him online and kept his name in the headlines.
It all came to a head when he scored an incredible 42 points playing for the Grand Rapids Gold in mid-December.
Just a few days later, the Lakers came calling and he was back in the NBA.
However, Thomas always knew that his time there could be temporary.
He was being called upon for his talent but also because the entire league is being decimated by the coronavirus and there are scores of players sitting out – Thomas was simply filling a hole.
In his first game back, he created 19 points and averaged 9.3 points and 1.5 assists in 25 minutes per game overall in his four games in LA.
Troubles In The Big Time
His time back in the NBA hasn’t been as magical as his time in the G League and that’s partly why he isn’t being immediately signed to a long-term plan.
After his first promising game, he hit the skids a bit: he scored 13 in his second game but only put up three and two in the ones that followed.
He wasn’t even called off the bench for the Christmas Day game against the Brooklyn Nets.
If Thomas was producing 42 points nightly – or even something close to that – a contract with another team would be a done deal.
As of now, many teams are waiting and seeing about him and if he adjusts to playing in the NBA yet again.
A bit of caution is understandable and smart but the league should certainly keep an eye on Thomas because he has the chance to be a great veteran point guard who can help lead a team.
When he’s healthy, he’s smart and fast and a true team player – and there are multiple front offices across the association who are looking for someone just like that.
Sure enough, it is being reported that “multiple teams” have interest in Thomas.
That’s good news and it’s the way it should be.
Thomas still has a lot of gas left in his tank, even with some adjustment troubles as he re-enters the NBA.
He would be a great, cheap, helpful bench player for many teams – hopefully, he finds one that wants him.
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